Large-capacity-on-chip preconcentrator device for selective ethylene measurement below 400 PPBV

The small gas chromatograph presented in this paper was for the first time able to detect an ethylene concentration of 400 ppbv. Deduced from this measurement a detection limit below 50 ppbv can be reached which is absolutely mandatory for the shelf life prediction of climacteric fruits. To achieve the necessary sensitivity a complete new large-capacity-on-chip preconcentrator device was realized. New stationary phases were tested. The used packed gas chromatography column is now capable to separate vaporized water and ethylene gas from each other which was a yields a breakthrough in the analysis of ethylene concentrations in ambient air.